Is anyone more deserving than our Doug Kass to be selected as the Bear that Warren Buffett trusts for his upcoming Berkshire Hathaway ( BRK.B) shareholders' meeting? Doug's the "credentialed," thoughtful ursine that we all, at one time or another, find ourselves challenged by -- and nothing can make us into better investors than paying attention to his variant views.

But do you know what makes this honor so special? Because Doug's not a permabear, which (to me, given the amazing run we have had) would mean he doesn't deserve the credential. He's a flexible one -- the best call I have seen in my lifetime was his call for a generational bottom in March of 2009 when everyone else, including me, was negative. Doug's arguments forced me to go bullish and I am glad that he did. Almost everything positive about this market sprung from his call and he nailed it so well that I still thank my lucky stars that he's with us on this site for all to profit from.

Let me go a step further. Doug's the ultimate mensch. He is never an ad hominem attack dog. He is never personal. He always approaches his differences with a gentle riposte and the honest goading. He's always above board, never underhanded. And when he gets it wrong and you get it right, he's the first to praise you.

I am proud of my multi-decade friendship with Doug and I am ecstatic that he received this precious honor.

Doug, you will be amazing, as you always are. I cannot think of a more worthy intellectual provocateur than Doug Kass. Knock 'em dead in Omaha, Doug. I know you will.

Oh, and while I am at it, if only my charitable trust had dumped all of its Apple ( AAPL) shares when Doug said to. Each day wouldn't be a house of pain!